Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Local coordinator
Emily Robichaux, erobichaux@gmfus.org,
202-361-1506 (mobile)
Accommodation
Homestays in Baton Rouge (nights of Saturday, Sunday, and Monday)
Celia Avezedo
Home of Paula and Bob Dillemuth
Benedicte de Montlaur
Home of Jane Chandler
Urun Guner and Christina Manolopoulou
Home of Suhail (Sal) and Madeline Ghandour
Ahmed Larouz and Florin Pasatoiu
Home of Lynn and Chip Mitchell
Giuseppe Solinas
Home of Laura and Wendell Lindsay
Hotel in New Orleans (Tuesday night only)
International Hotel
Saturday, February 23
Casual attire
10:30 am
Arrive at New Orleans airport
Pick up rental cars
12:00 pm
Pick up lunch at Martin Wine Cellar and Delicatessen
714 Elmeer Avenue
Eat lunch at Knights of Columbus Hall, Lakeview
6254 Vicksburg Street
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Roman Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in
1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus and dedicated to the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and
Patriotism. There are more than 1.7 million members in 14,000 councils, with nearly 200 councils on college campuses.
Membership is limited to "practical Catholic" men aged 18 or older.
Councils have been chartered in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, the Philippines, Guam,
Saipan, Japan, and most recently in Poland. The Knights' official junior organization, the Columbian Squires, has over 5,000
Circles. All the Order's ceremonials and business meetings are restricted to members though all other events are open to the
public. A promise not to reveal any details of the ceremonials except to an equally qualified Knight is required to ensure their
impact and meaning for new members; an additional clause subordinates the promise to that Knight's civil and religious duties.
In the 2006 fraternal year the Order gave US$143.8 million directly to charity (1.1 Billion in charitable contributions in the last
10 years) and performed over 68 million man hours of voluntary service. For their support for the Church and local communities,
as well as for their philanthropic efforts, the Order is often referred to as the "strong right arm of the Church". The Order's
insurance program has more than $60 billion of life insurance policies in force and holds the highest insurance ratings given by
A. M. Best, Standard & Poor's, and the Insurance Marketplace Standards Association.
2:00 pm
Rebuilding efforts in New Orleans and devastation tour of Lakeview
Denise and Doug Thornton, Founders
Beacon of Hope Resource Center
Beacon of Hope Resource Center, an approved non-profit 501(c) corporation, was founded by Lakewood South homeowners
Denise and Doug Thornton on February 14, 2006. Located at 5475 Bellaire Drive in New Orleans, this once flooded home served
as a refuge for weary neighbors and a lifeline for all homeowners who seek information and resources to rebuild their devastated
homes in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Our mission is to assist all homeowners in the City of New Orleans in the rebuilding
process of their beloved homes and provide a sanctuary to neighbors looking for a way back home. The Beacon of Hope Resource
Center is a grass roots organization taking pro-active measures to rebuild neighborhoods. Our neighborhoods are vital and
essential to the rebuilding of the City of New Orleans. The Beacon of Hope is accomplishing its mission and has expanded by
opening new Super Beacon locations not only in the Lake Area, but Gentilly and Lower 9th Ward as well. Millions of dollars
have been spent by the government and other organizations in studying the problems and planning meetings, while the Beacon of
Hope, on a shoestring budget from donations and with an army of local and national volunteers, have put boots on the ground to
begin the massive clean-up, provide guidance, and create a hospitable environment to encourage homeowners to return to this
unique American city.
5:00 pm
Drive to Baton Rouge
6:00 pm
Potluck dinner with host families
Robichaux residence
Evening
Free time and dinner with your host family
Sunday, February 24
Casual attire
Morning
Free time with your host family
Optional activity
Church with your host family
1:00 pm
Life on a plantation in Louisiana
LSU Rural Life Museum
Ten different flags have flown over Louisiana, and a wide variety of peoples have settled here. Native Americans, French,
Spanish, Anglo-American, Germans, people of African descent, and Acadians have all made significant contributions to
Louisiana's rich cultural heritage.
Largely forgotten by the 20th century, the lifestyles and cultures of these preindustrial Louisianians are recalled at the LSU
Rural Life Museum. Through its extensive collection of tools, utensils, furniture, and farming equipment, the museum preserves
and interprets an important part of the state's and nation's rural heritage. The museum also serves as a research facility for LSU
students engaged in heritage conservation studies.
The Rural Life Museum is located on the Burden Research Plantation, a 450 acre agricultural research experiment station owned
by the LSU Agricultural Center. It includes seven buildings illustrating the various cultural influences of Louisiana’s settlers, a
collection of artifacts dealing with everyday rural life dating from prehistoric times to the early 20th century, and a working
plantation authentically furnished to reconstruct all the major activities of life on a typical 19th century working plantation.
3:00 pm
African-American Art in Louisiana
Florent “Pon” Hardy
State Archivist and Director
Louisiana State Archives
The Louisiana State Archives, a division of the Louisiana Secretary of State's office, is mandated to identify, to collect, to
preserve, to maintain, and to make available those records and artifacts that enhance our endeavors to understand the dynamics
and nuances of our state's remarkable history.
Created by the State Legislature in 1956 as the official repository for the state's historical records, the State Archives has called
many places home since its conception. The "first" State Archives was located in Peabody Hall at LSU, a dilapidated structure
slated for demolition by the State Fire Marshal's office. This was home for the state's official records until 1966 when the State
Archives relocated to a former warehouse on Choctaw Boulevard in the industrial section of Baton Rouge. This facility was
likewise not suitable for the proper preservation of the state's documentary heritage. In the early 1980's, following an extensive
lobbying campaign, the legislature funded construction of a new State Archives building on Essen Lane. In August, 1987, this
state of the art facility was officially opened. Designed by architect John Desmond, the building has been hailed as one of the
foremost archival facilities in the nation.
Evening
Free time and dinner with your host family
Monday, February 25
Business Attire
9:00 am
Oil Industry in Louisiana
Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association
801 North Boulevard
The Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association represents all sectors of the oil and gas industry operating in Louisiana
and the Gulf of Mexico.
Chris John is the President of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association. Mr. John is a former member of the United
States House of Representatives, where he represented the Seventh Congressional District of Louisiana. Mr. John has a long
career of public service, including serving as a member of the Crowley, LA City Council and also as a representative in the
Louisiana House of Representatives.
Richard Metcalf is Mid-Continent's Health, Safety and Environmental Affairs Coordinator. He is responsible for environmental
regulatory issues, particularly those involving the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. Metcalf has an engineering
degree and has worked in both the production and refining segments of the oil and gas industry.
Larry Wall is Public Relations Coordinator for Mid-Continent. He holds a journalism degree and had 15 years of newspaper
experience before joining Mid-Continent. He is responsible for external and internal communications, publications, special study
projects, general administration, membership and management of the website.
10:30 am
Meeting and Flag Raising with the Mayor-President
Mayor Melvin “Kip” Holden, City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge
222 St. Louis Street, 3rd Floor
After a 20-year distinguished career in public service, Senator Melvin "Kip" Holden was inaugurated as the first AfricanAmerican Mayor-President of East Baton Rouge Parish on January 3, 2005.
Upon his inauguration, he embarked on an ambitious journey to revitalize Downtown Baton Rouge, create and arts and
entertainment district and market Baton Rouge to the film and video industry. He has the city moving on a Riverfront
Masterplan, redesigning a Town Square to provide more venues for arts and cultural activities. In 2006, Mayor Holden
launched a new Economic Development Initiative for East Baton Rouge Parish that includes a partnership with the Baton Rouge
Chamber of Commerce to market the parish, the opening of two Minority Business Opportunity Centers to help small businesses
participate in Louisiana’s economic recovery, a micro-loan program and Bankers’ Roundtable to assist small business
development.
Recognized nationally for his leadership during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Mayor Holden managed a City-Parish that
became a place of refuge for over 200,000 evacuees from South Louisiana in less than one week. Under his guidance, the East
Baton Rouge Parish of Homeland Security received full national accreditation, one of only ten Emergency Management
Programs, and one of two city/county governments, to meet the nation’s highest standards.
Mayor Holden is a graduate of both Baton Rouge universities, earning a B.A. in Journalism from LSU, a Masters degree in
Journalism from Southern University, a Juris Doctorate from Southern University School of Law and an Honorary Degree of
Doctor of Public Policy from Southern University. With experience on the Metro Council and as a member of the Louisiana
House of Representatives and Senate, Mayor Holden has extensive knowledge of East Baton Rouge Parish government. Born in
New Orleans on August 12, 1952, Mayor Holden is married to Lois Stevenson Holden and is the father of five children, Melvin,
II; Angela; Monique; Myron and Brian Michael. He is a member of Greater King David Baptist Church.
11:30 am
Baton Rouge Press Club Lunch Meeting
Candidates’ Forum: Democratic candidates for the 6 th Congressional district special
election
De La Ronde Hall
320 3rd St
Fellows will pay for their own meals ($15)
The February 2, 2008 resignation of Louisiana Congressman Richard Baker triggered a special election for Louisiana's 6th
district. The party primaries will be held March 8, 2008, party run-offs will be held April 5, and the general election will take
place on May 3. This election, along with Louisiana's 1st congressional district special election, will be the first Louisiana
congressional elections not based on Louisiana's jungle primary.
A nonpartisan blanket primary (also known as a Louisiana primary or jungle primary) is a primary election in which all
candidates for elected office run in the same primary regardless of political party. The nonpartisan blanket primary was adopted
by the Louisiana State Legislature at the insistence of powerful Democratic Governor Edwin Edwards (1972–1980; 1984–1988;
1992–1996) as a way to reduce growing Republican strength in traditionally Democratic Louisiana. The plan, in the long run,
did not achieve that particular purpose, but it did keep candidates from having to undergo three possibly contested elections to
win office.
In June 2006 Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco signed Senate Bill No. 18, which became Act No. 560, into law. Starting in
2008, Congressional races are returned to the closed primary system. The nonpartisan primary will, however, remain for state
and local races, including the 2007 governor's race.
2:00 pm
Panel discussion on Louisiana politics
Carl Redman, Executive Editor and colleagues
The Advocate
7290 Bluebonnet Boulevard
Before being named executive editor in 2007, Carl Redman was the newspaper's managing editor after spending nearly 17 years
with The Advocate's Capitol news bureau covering state government and politics. Redman has been at The Advocate since
December 1980. In addition to state government and politics, Redman has reported extensively on the Louisiana economy, on
higher education, on local government and on tax issues. Before coming to The Advocate, he worked for weekly newspapers in
the New Orleans area as well as for daily newspapers in Slidell, Alexandria and Shreveport.
4:00 pm
Panel discussion with Baton Rouge’s international community and building tour
Old State Capitol Building
100 North Boulevard
7:00 pm
Closing dinner with host families and other invited guests
Boutin’s Restaurant
8322 Bluebonnet Boulevard
This meal will be covered by GMF.
Tuesday, February 26
Business casual attire
**Please load your luggage in the car, as you will not return to your homestay before departing for New Orleans.
9:00 am
Participation in Advanced Social Policy class at LSU
Dr. Priscilla (Lilly) Allen, Associate Professor, LSU School of Social Work
156 Huey P. Long Fieldhouse
Dr. Allen has asked us to join her for an Advanced Social Policy class, consisting of 28 graduate school students in the LSU
School of Social Work. You will be asked to share your observations of the different societies you’ve experienced so far:
Washington, DC; Baton Rouge; and New Orleans.
11:00 am
Meet with Sister Judith Brun
Drive to Renaissance Village in Baker, Louisiana
Sister Judith Brun has been active in the Baton Rouge area for many years as an educator, administrator and child and teen
advocate. She has been instrumental in supporting and directing the immediate response to the problems facing the survivors at
Renaissance Village and the Baton Rouge area communities.
Renaissance Village trailer park is one of the largest Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) villages built after
residents of the Gulf Coast and New Orleans lost their homes in hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Built on pasture land owned by the
nearby Jetson Center for Youth correctional facility, Renaissance Village is like other trailer sites that FEMA has erected around
Louisiana since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. However, it is considerably bigger than most, amounting to a small town in Baker,
itself a town just north of Baton Rouge. At one point, there were about 600 trailers here. About 400 trailers remain on the site,
home to some 1,500 people.
11:30 am
Discussion on ongoing hurricane recovery efforts and site visit to Renaissance Village
Afternoon
Drive to New Orleans
3:30 pm
Housing in New Orleans (TBC)
Optional activities
Tomb of the Unknown Slave at St. Augustine Catholic Church
Confederate Civil War Museum
Voodoo Museum
National World War II Museum
Musée Conti Wax Museum
Evening
Free
Wednesday, February 27
Casual
Departure